ALLAHABAD: February 04, 2014: Even as lakhs of devotees took holy dip in the Ganga on the occasion of MauniAmavasya, there were thousands of others-irrespective of religion and sect-who arranged free 'bhandara' (feast) for pilgrims and felt blessed even without bathing in the river on the occasion.

Bhandara and distribution of free blankets were arranged at several crossings on every road going towards Sangam. Locals, organisations and groups, were involved actively in offering free food and snacks to the tired pilgrims who walked long distances to reach their destination, to and from bus and railway stations, because of traffic restrictions.

Poori-sabzi, tea, pakoda, biscuits, sweet dish, fruits, khichdi, etc were among the items offered in bhandaras held under tents on roadsides and busy interjections of the city. Although at several places, there was mad rush of passersby and local youths to get free food, theorganisers were smart enough to identify the pilgrims and treated them with special attention so that they did not have to wait. "Every year we arrange free distribution of food to pilgrims though we were not able to take a holy dip in Sangam," said Akhilesh Singh. "For us, offering free food is more pious than taking the dip," he added.

It was not just Hindus who had arranged these feasts as people from Muslim community too arranged the holy cause.

"Apart from offering free food, tea and biscuits, we distributed blankets to pilgrims with respect to the pious occasion," said Siraj Khan, one of the organisers.